ELA 9 Honors
Summer Reading Assignment
Prerequisite Reader-Response Packet
Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief.
Death himself narrates the World War II-era story of Liesel Meminger from the time she is
taken, at age nine, to live in Molching, Germany, with a foster family in a working-class
neighborhood of tough kids, acid-tongued mothers, and loving fathers who earn their living
by the work of their hands (School Library Journal). Liesel’s coming of age story captures
the fears, anxieties and horrors of living through Hitler’s tyranny and terror with bravery and
insight.
The following pages are designed to increase your understanding of your summer reading
novel. Feel free to use these lists at your disposal and expand on them if needed. As you
read, you are encouraged to answer the questions in the packet, take notes, and make
observations about the characters, plot development, themes, symbols, and vocabulary
within the novel. I encourage you to make notes in your text (underline, highlight, write in
the margins, and use post-it notes) to mark important events as well as sections that you find
confusing. These annotations and observations will certainly help your overall
understanding and elevate engagement with this archetypal “American” novel.
Vocabulary Chart
Directions: Record new words that you encounter in your reading. Write the page number, a
short definition from a reliable dictionary resource, and a sentence using each word correctly.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE VOCABULARY CHART
Word
“Conniver”
(example)
Page
Definition
7
One who schemes or
plots
Sentence
I finally recognized that he is an unflinching
conniver because of his many attempts to
hoodwink me.
LITERARY Q.U.O. Chart for Analysis (Quotation/Understanding/Observations)
Directions: Throughout your reading, please select/record important passages/quotations on the chart below and
write out in full. In the second column, record your understanding of that passage in terms of its own significance
and its importance within the context of the chapter and/or book. In the third column, record any observations
you may have about any key symbols, images, motifs, and/or literary devices used that could potentially help in
understanding that passage.
Quotation
Understanding
Observation(s)
Guiding Questions for Discussion/Review
Directions:
Please be as neat and as thorough as possible in answering these questions.
1. What is the main setting(s) of the novel? (setting = time and place)
2. List three clues from the text that reveal the setting. Include page numbers!
(1)
page _________
(2)
page _________
(3)
page _________
3. What would you say is the principal (main) conflict in the book?
(_____________________ vs. ___________________ and explain!)
4. List five details that describe main conflict between individuals and/or individuals
and their environment.
(1)
page _________
(2)
page _________
(3)
page _________
(4)
page _________
(5)
page _________
5. What are the secondary conflicts in the novel and their resolution(s)?
6. What do you think is a major theme, or message about life, in the book? Express in a complete
sentence!
7. List five details that describe the main theme in the novel. Use extracts from the text.
(1)
page _________
(2)
page _________
(3)
page _________
(4)
page _________
(5)
page _________
8. List at least two passages for each of the symbols/motifs (repeated images) given below.
The Accordian
(1)
page __________
(2)
page __________
Adolf Hitler, the Swastika, and the Nazi Flag
(1)
page __________
(2)
page __________
Books
(1)
page __________
(2)
page __________
Colors
(1)
page __________
(2)
page __________
(insert your choice here)
(1)
page __________
(2)
page __________
(insert your choice here)
(1)
page __________
(3)
page __________
9. Story Plot Definitions: Read the definitions for each section of the plot in your novel. Use these definitions to
help you as you fill in the story plot for The Book Thief on the following page.
Introduction: (also called the exposition) The reader is introduced to the characters, setting, and
background information.
Rising Action: As the story progresses, complications and problems arise for the main character. These
difficulties help create suspense and tension within the plot.
Climax: This is the highest point of interest or drama in the story. The suspense is at its peak, but the
outcome is still unclear.
Falling Action: The tension has been relieved. The conflict is resolved and characters’ lives return to
(seemingly) normal conditions.
Resolution: The final resolution of the main complication in the story is presented. The final conflict or
problem is solved or resolved.
10. Story Plot Chart: Fill in the story plot for The Natural. Use bulleted notes or short sentences to record your
observations for each part of the story.
Climax:
Rising Action:
Introduction:
Falling Action:
Resolution:
Character Development/Description Chart.
Provide a brief description of main characters listed. Follow descriptions with listing of positive/negative qualities
of characters.
Liesel Meminger
(+)
Rudy Steiner
(-)
(+)
Max Vandenburg
(-)
(+)
Hans Hubermann
(-)
(+)
Rosa Hubermann
(-)
(+)
Death
(-)
(+)
Frau Ilsa Hermann
(-)
(+)
Werner Meminger
(-)
(+)
Paula Meminger
(-)
(+)
(-)
Character Development/Description Chart.
Provide a brief description of main characters listed. Follow descriptions with listing of positive/negative qualities
of characters.
Liesel’s Father
(+)
Erik Vanderburg
(-)
(+)
Max’s Mother
(-)
(+)
Walter Kugler
(-)
(+)
Max’s Uncle, Aunt Ruth, and Cousins
(-)
(+)
Hans Hubermann Junior
(-)
(+)
Trudy Hubermann
(-)
(+)
Alex Steiner
(-)
(+)
Barbara Steiner
(-)
(+)
(-)
Character Development/Description Chart.
Provide a brief description of main characters listed. Follow descriptions with listing of positive/negative qualities
of characters.
The Steiner Kids
(+)
Tommy Muller
(-)
(+)
Frau Holtzapfel
(-)
(+)
Michael Holtzapfel
(-)
(+)
Robert Holtzapfel
(-)
(+)
Arthur Berg
(-)
(+)
Victor Chemell
(-)
(+)
Frau Diller
(-)
(+)
Franz Deutscher
(-)
(+)
(-)
Character Development/Description Chart.
Provide a brief description of main characters listed. Follow descriptions with listing of positive/negative qualities
of characters.
Reinhold Zucker
(+)
Ludwig Schmeikl
(-)
(+)
Frau Hienrich
(-)
(+)
Heinz Hermann
(-)
(+)
Johann Hermann
(-)
(+)
(-)
(+)
(-)
(+)
(-)
(+)
(-)
(+)
(-)
Additional Reading Notes: